Matthew 13:14

KJV

And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} in {G1909} them {G846} is fulfilled {G378} the prophecy {G4394} of Esaias {G2268}, which {G3588} saith {G3004}, By hearing {G189} ye shall hear {G191}, and {G2532} shall {G4920} not {G3364} understand {G4920}; and {G2532} seeing {G991} ye shall see {G991}, and {G2532} shall {G1492} not {G3364} perceive {G1492}:

Complete Jewish Bible

That is, in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Yesha`yahu which says, `You will keep on hearing but never understand, and keep on seeing but never perceive,

Berean Standard Bible

In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

American Standard Version

And unto them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 13:14 serves as a pivotal explanation for Jesus' use of parables, revealing a profound spiritual truth through the citation of Isaiah's ancient prophecy. It underscores that while many may physically hear and see the divine revelation, only those with receptive hearts will genuinely comprehend and perceive its spiritual significance, highlighting a divinely ordained pattern of spiritual discernment and judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jesus' extensive discourse on the Kingdom of Heaven, specifically following the seminal [Parable of the Sower](/matthew/13-3-9 "Matthew 13:3-9 - The Parable of the Sower") in [Matthew 13](/matthew/13 "Matthew 13 - Parables of the Kingdom"). The disciples, perplexed by Jesus' shift to parabolic teaching, directly inquire why He speaks to the crowds in this manner ([Matthew 13:10](/matthew/13-10 "Matthew 13:10 - Disciples' Question")). Jesus' response, spanning [Matthew 13:11-17](/matthew/13-11-17 "Matthew 13:11-17 - Reason for Parables"), explains that parables function as a means of both revealing truth to those granted spiritual understanding and concealing it from those whose hearts are hardened. Verse 14, by quoting Isaiah, provides an Old Testament prophetic justification for this dual purpose, framing the spiritual unresponsiveness of many in His audience as a fulfillment of God's sovereign plan and a continuation of a historical pattern of unbelief.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy quoted by Jesus originates from [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Isaiah 6:9-10 - Isaiah's Commission and Prophecy of Hardened Hearts"), a passage where God commissions Isaiah to deliver a message that, paradoxically, will lead to the spiritual dullness and hardening of the people's hearts. This was the tragic spiritual state of much of Israel in Isaiah's era, characterized by a persistent refusal to heed God's warnings and embrace His covenant. Centuries later, during Jesus' earthly ministry, a similar pattern of spiritual insensitivity prevailed, particularly among the religious leadership and a significant portion of the Jewish populace. Despite witnessing extraordinary miracles ([Matthew 11:20-24](/matthew/11-20-24 "Matthew 11:20-24 - Woes to Unrepentant Cities")) and hearing the profound teachings of the Messiah, many clung to preconceived notions of a political deliverer, rejecting Jesus' spiritual kingdom. Jesus' citation of Isaiah 6 underscores that their unbelief was not an unforeseen anomaly but a fulfillment of a long-standing prophetic trajectory, demonstrating the continuity of God's dealings with His people across generations.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 13:14 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Matthew's Gospel and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Spiritual Blindness and Unbelief**, emphasizing that physical proximity to divine revelation does not guarantee spiritual reception. Many in Jesus' audience possessed physical sight and hearing but lacked the spiritual capacity to truly grasp the profound truths of the Kingdom of God. Secondly, the verse reinforces the theme of **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, presenting Jesus' ministry and the varied responses to it as a direct and precise culmination of Old Testament predictions, thereby affirming His messianic identity and the divine orchestration of history. Thirdly, it elucidates the **Purpose of Parables** as a divinely appointed method of teaching that simultaneously reveals and conceals truth, separating those who are receptive from those who are resistant. Finally, it touches upon the complex interplay of **Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility**, where God's foreknowledge of spiritual dullness does not negate the individual's culpability for their chosen unbelief, as seen in the broader context of [Matthew 13](/matthew/13 "Matthew 13 - Parables of the Kingdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fulfilled (Greek, _anaplēróō'_):** G378. This verb means "to complete," "to fill up," or "to accomplish." In this context, it signifies that the spiritual condition observed in Jesus' audience precisely corresponds to, and therefore brings to completion, the ancient prophecy of Isaiah. It's not merely a coincidence but a divinely orchestrated alignment.
* **hearing (Greek, _akoḗ'_):** G189. Derived from the verb "to hear" (akoúō, G191), this noun refers to the act of hearing, the sense of hearing, or even the thing heard (a report or rumor). The repetition "By hearing ye shall hear" (akoē akousete) is a Semitic idiom (infinitive absolute) that intensifies the verb, emphasizing the certainty and reality of the physical act of hearing, yet paradoxically, the lack of spiritual comprehension.
* **perceive (Greek, _eídō'_):** G1492. This verb means "to see" (literally or figuratively), but in its perfect tense, it carries the nuance "to know" or "to understand." In this context, it implies more than mere physical sight (blépō, G991); it refers to a deeper, cognitive grasp or spiritual discernment of what is seen. The failure to "perceive" indicates a lack of true comprehension or insight into the spiritual realities being presented.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith,"**: This opening clause establishes the direct link between Jesus' current ministry and Old Testament prophecy. The phrase "in them" refers to the unresponsive crowds who hear Jesus' teachings but do not understand. Their spiritual condition, characterized by a lack of perception, is presented as the very fulfillment of what Isaiah foretold. This highlights the divine foreknowledge and the continuity of God's redemptive plan through history.
* **"By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand;"**: This segment, directly quoting Isaiah 6:9, emphasizes the paradox of physical hearing without spiritual comprehension. The Hebrew idiom, rendered as "By hearing ye shall hear," intensifies the act of hearing, indicating that the people genuinely hear the words spoken by Jesus. However, the crucial qualification "and shall not understand" reveals their spiritual inability or unwillingness to grasp the deeper meaning and implications of His message. Their ears are open, but their minds and hearts remain closed to divine truth.
* **"and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:"**: Parallel to the previous clause, this part of the prophecy addresses visual perception. The people physically witness Jesus' miracles, His life, and His actions—they "seeing ye shall see." Yet, despite this direct observation, they "shall not perceive." This "not perceiving" goes beyond mere physical sight; it signifies a failure to discern the spiritual reality, the divine identity of Jesus, and the nature of the Kingdom He proclaims. Their eyes are open, but their spiritual insight is veiled.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 13:14 is rich with **Irony** and **Paradox**, as it describes a situation where the very act of hearing and seeing leads not to understanding, but to a deeper state of spiritual incomprehension. The prophecy itself is a form of **Prophetic Fulfillment**, demonstrating how ancient scripture finds its precise culmination in the contemporary events of Jesus' ministry. The repeated structure "By hearing ye shall hear... and seeing ye shall see..." employs **Parallelism** and a **Hebrew Idiom** (infinitive absolute) to emphasize the intensity of the physical actions while simultaneously highlighting the tragic absence of spiritual insight. This rhetorical device underscores the certainty of their physical engagement with Jesus' message, making their lack of spiritual perception all the more striking and indicative of a profound internal resistance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 13:14 profoundly illustrates the biblical theme of spiritual receptivity versus spiritual hardness, a recurring motif throughout Scripture. It reveals that the Kingdom of God is not accessible to all merely by physical proximity or intellectual exposure, but requires a heart prepared by God. This passage underscores divine sovereignty in revelation, where understanding is granted to some while withheld from others, not arbitrarily, but in response to the condition of their hearts. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of persistent unbelief, where repeated exposure to truth can lead to increased spiritual insensitivity rather than repentance.
* [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Isaiah's Commission and Prophecy of Hardened Hearts")
* [Jeremiah 5:21](/jeremiah/5-21 "A People Without Understanding")
* [Mark 4:11-12](/mark/4-11-12 "The Purpose of Parables")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 13:14 challenges us to deeply examine the posture of our own hearts when we encounter God's Word. It's not enough to merely hear sermons, read the Bible, or attend church; the critical question is whether we are truly understanding and perceiving the spiritual truths being conveyed. Are we allowing the Word to penetrate beyond our intellect into the depths of our spirit, transforming our lives? This verse calls us to cultivate a humble, teachable, and receptive heart, one that actively seeks discernment and spiritual insight from the Holy Spirit. It reminds us that spiritual understanding is a gift, but also one that requires our active engagement and a willingness to obey what we hear. Without this genuine openness, even the clearest biblical revelation can remain a closed book, leading to a dangerous spiritual apathy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be "hearing but not understanding," or "seeing but not perceiving" God's truth?**
* **What steps can you take to cultivate a more receptive and humble heart towards God's Word?**
* **How does the concept of spiritual blindness in this verse impact your approach to sharing the Gospel with others?**

### FAQ
**What is the "prophecy of Esaias" that Jesus refers to in Matthew 13:14?**

Answer: The "prophecy of Esaias" (Isaiah) that Jesus refers to is found in [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Isaiah 6:9-10 - Isaiah's Commission and Prophecy of Hardened Hearts"). In this passage, God commissions the prophet Isaiah to speak to the people of Israel with a message that, paradoxically, will lead to their spiritual dullness and hardening. The prophecy states, "Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed." Jesus quotes this prophecy to explain why He speaks in parables to the crowds – to reveal truth to those who are receptive while simultaneously concealing it from those whose hearts are hardened and unwilling to believe.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 13:14, by declaring the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, powerfully points to Christ as the ultimate revealer and divider of humanity. Jesus, the Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), embodies the very truth that some would embrace and others reject. His parables, while seemingly simple stories, function as instruments of divine judgment and grace, sifting the receptive from the resistant. The spiritual blindness described in Isaiah, manifested in Jesus' day, underscores the profound need for a divine intervention to open the eyes of the blind and unstop the ears of the deaf. This intervention is precisely what Christ offers through His atoning work on the cross and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It is only through faith in Him that the veil of spiritual blindness is removed ([2 Corinthians 3:14-16](/2_corinthians/3-14-16 "2 Corinthians 3:14-16 - The Veil Removed in Christ")), allowing hearts to truly understand and perceive the glorious light of the gospel of Christ ([2 Corinthians 4:4-6](/2_corinthians/4-4-6 "2 Corinthians 4:4-6 - The Light of the Gospel")). Thus, the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy in Matthew 13:14 highlights not only the tragic reality of human unbelief but also the sovereign grace of God revealed in Jesus, who alone can grant true spiritual sight and understanding.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 6:9

¶ And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

Isaiah 6:10

Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

Ezekiel 12:2

Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they [are] a rebellious house.

Luke 8:10

And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

2 Corinthians 3:14

But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which [vail] is done away in Christ.

Acts 28:25

And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

Acts 28:27

For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.